December 19, 2009

I have been pretty absent here on the blog. After having issues with my website for 4 months just before my busy time, my new blog never made it to publishing in 2009. 1st quarter, publishing my updated blog will be my goal :) In the meantime, I'm pretty active on Facebook with the business! So if you have an account and would like to join me - do a friends search for first name: "Marlo" last name: "YoshimotoPhotography" (no space for the last name). You can see a handful of my most recent work there.

Here is my latest post to Facebook as of today :)

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Can you believe it's Xmas next week? MYP will be taking a much needed holiday from 12/19 to 1/8.

I'd like to thank all of you for another very successful year with MYP! All the support you've given means the world to me, and I'm so honored to be able to share my love for the creative arts with you.

I wish the very best Xmas and New Years to everyone! Peace, love and joy to you and your families!

May 04, 2009

In honor of Mother's Day, Tots Trends Weekly online magazine has spotlighted some photographers in their current issue. I'm so excited to be a part of the Mother's Day Gallery for Tots Trends Weekly :) Check out the article here !

April 10, 2009

I realize it's been quite a while since my last update. Lately, I have been working behind the scenes this first quarter taking some time to update my website, design a new blog (perhaps two!), and get my new wedding website ready for launch! I will announce the launches here hopefully very shortly.

In the meantime, I will pop in from time to time with updates of sessions from this year and last year.

Right now is a great time to have those outdoor portraits taken - it's not too hot yet, and on some days we've been getting some amazing clouds in the sky enhancing our beautiful Southern California sunsets! If you are ready to have your spring portraits taken, please contact me to sign up for my newsletter. I'll be sending a special promotion out by the end of the month for potential, past and present clients to save quite a bit on their Spring Sessions!

December 13, 2008

Well, thank goodness I was able to capture this before he flew off to get back to work in time for Christmas! Thank you to Diane and Erika, the owners at Childish Couture, for letting Santa and me bring joy to childrens' faces (for the most part *wink*)! And thank you to our patient Santa who was so great with all the kiddos!

Here is one of the fabulous images from yesterday's Portraits with Santa. This one just made me giggle!

If you are interested in future promotions or session specials at any of the boutiques I am partnered with, swing by one of the locations below and see how our past events have been! I will have display albums at the counters for some of the portrait events that we hold. Come by, say hello to all my wonderful partners, and take a look at the albums!

December 06, 2008

Originally Kristen Kalp had a goal of 50 photographers to join in on the holiday giving that I last posted about. We are now past that goal and her new goal is $1 million this holiday season! All photographers who have joined in are giving what they can in the scope of their own capabilities. I'm so excited to be a part of something so huge that touches all corners of the earth!

If you know a family in need, email me their story by Dec 22nd! The winner's story does not need be revealed if it is a sensitive topic. I will be updating the list of photographers in case you do know someone in a different part of the world who has great need, and would be thrilled with a custom portraiture gift.

December 04, 2008

When I saw this invitation for giving I knew I couldn’t pass it up.One of my photographer friends, Kristen Kalp, invited our photography community to give the joy of photography to a family in need this holiday season.The quote that led her to this creative spark was the following “Be grateful for everything. Even your debt. People in some nations would be happy to have debt, as it means they have a way to provide for their families."

This holiday season, many photographers in the nation are now offering the joy of photography for a very special family, with Kristin’s lead.Now we would like to extend the gift of giving to you!

(As authored by K.Kalp)

This is a joyous time of year. A time to celebrate the season, our family and a time to truly reflect and appreciate what we have. For some people however, the holidays are a reminder of personal struggles.

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $1000 worth, to be exact. Whether it's a canvas, albums, prints for Grandma, or a wall portrait...it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a complementary session as well as a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in San Diego county. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: marlo@msyoshphoto.com.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve...get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

If your family lives out of San Diego County, you may submit their name with another photographer. Below are other photographers around the world who are joining in!

November 25, 2008

One of the perks of my job is that I get to see a sunset almost every day! Here is one from this past weekend at the end of one of my sessions. The man on the beach was also taking a photo of the glorious sky!

I have a ton of sessions that I need to post from this season, the holiday events, and also from earlier in the year. I have been wanting to put up my wedding site as well, but haven't found the time this year. I'm definitely thankful for all my clients this year for keeping my business growing! Once things start to slow down from the holiday rush, I will start to share past sessions here.

November 09, 2008

Yuki Mese runs a successful, locally-based business called Wagamama Baby which has reached national acclaim. Yuki is another product client of mine (I've had the opportunity to photograph her Zabu mats) and I've enjoyed getting to know her and her staff of 5 women who run a now multi-product company seamlessly. Wagamama Baby has products that are very classy, modern and practical in design from baby mats (Zabus) to blankie balls! There are more product ideas coming your way in the future as well!

How did you come up with the name Wagamama Baby? Wagamama means "spoiled rotten" in Japanese, and I wanted a fun, catchy name that also reflected my ancestry!

How long have you been doing this? 1.5 years

Please explain a little bit about your product/business and how you developed the concept behind it: As the saying goes, "necessity is the mother of all invention!" We've always traveled a lot, even since Emerson was born. I made her the original baby zabu travel cushion so I wouldn'thave to tote around a big, bulky playpen. Then one friend asked for one, then another friend... and then voila! A business was born!

What makes your product/business so unique?There are 5 unique women in our biz but we don't necessarily think of our business as being that unique. We certainly have lots of fun! Our product is also patented so I suppose that's what makes us unique!

Where could we find your product? Our products are carried in over 70 retail stores worldwide.

What is the hardest part or have been some of your struggles starting your own business?Trying to find a balance between being a present & nurturing mom to Emerson, a supportivepartner to my husband, and a successful entrepreneur.

How do you balance your business and your family? The truth is that often times I can't! Both require tremendous energy and creativity, and many times the lines between the two cross. I try to embrace the chaos and just go with the flow. At the end of the day, I always know what matters most.

What are some of your short and long term goals with your business?We plan on expanding our international business in the next 9-12 months. We also have plans to add a couple of new products to our mix in the next year. Once day we hope to be able to sell the company or the patents and spend our days travelling around the world!!!

Is there anything exciting in the works that we can look forward to? As mentioned above, we are working on a couple of new products which will be showcased on our website in the first quarter of 2009. Starting in the spring, we also plan to dedicate one style every season from our collection, where a portion of the proceeds would go to a selected children's charity.

What kind of charity work or "giving back to the community" do you do?I've personally always been involved in various organizations that support global women's causes. As a business we are very socially and environmentally conscious and support organizations and initiatives to make the world better for our children.

What is your favorite restaurant in San Diego?Sushi Ota on Mission Bay Drive (YUMMY!)

What is your favorite mom and/or kid shop in San Diego? Magical Child in Encinitas

November 03, 2008

I had to post how the set is shaping up!! Here is a look into the holiday limited edition colors and decoration for the Timeless Christmas at Childish Couture. The sessions will be on 11/14 and 11/15 from 10-5pm. Each session will be good for up to 3 children. A variety of holiday packages are offered along with the session at reduced prices for the two days. Be sure to sign up before the remaining spots are taken! Click here for more details.

I'll be shopping for the rest of the Lola Butter White Christmas tomorrow, so I hope to have more photos of it as well.